Owning a solar power system isn’t as uncommon as it was just a few years ago. But the history of solar energy is an interesting and surprising story. While humanity has enjoyed the sun and used its warmth and light for our entire existence, it wasn’t until the last few hundred years that we were able to harness the sun’s energy for electricity.
The development of the first solar power system began with observations in 1839. In a decade where the United States was only twenty-six states large and the sewing machine just began to be used, Alexandre Edmond Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect. He noticed that some materials generated electricity when exposed to light. Becquerel experimented with this for a while, and documented his discoveries.
In 1873, Willoughby Smith discovered that buried telegram wires could hold a charge if insulated properly with selenium. This worked because selenium electrons transfer more energy under sunlight (the same photovoltaic effect Becquerel observed).
Four years later, William Grylls Adams and his student Richard Evans Day published a groundbreaking research paper that refined these discoveries. Selenium wafers produced energy when exposed to light, and eventually a photovoltaic cell was created to harness and convert this energy into usable electricity. However, it was only a small experimental cell and not easily reproducible or cost-efficient. It could only create electricity at 1-2% efficiency.
Developing a Solar Power System Becomes Reality
So when did solar panels come out? It was over 100 years later, in 1954, that creating a solar power system became a real possibility.
While working at Bell Labs, three scientists (Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller and Gerald Pearson) developed the first practical silicon solar cell capable of converting sunlight into usable electricity. Pearson discovered the photovoltaic effect in silicon, Fuller improved the material’s conductivity by doping it, and Chapin helped design and test the full working cell.
Their collaboration laid the foundation for modern solar power, demonstrating for the first time that solar energy could power real-world devices. This invention sparked the entire solar industry we rely on today for clean, renewable energy.
The next year, these silicon solar cells began to be sold. Though they were only 2% efficient, compared to an average of 18% efficient today, these sold for $1,785 per watt in the equivalent of 1955 dollars. A small start to the solar energy industry, but a promising one that would unfold into a larger clean energy movement.
In the 1960s and 70s, however, solar power began to be more practical. Efficiency levels grew to close to 10% with new technology, and the idea of renewable energy was becoming more and more popular. Further, space exploration was becoming a greater priority, and a solar power system seemed like a useful alternative energy source for space travel. Solar-powered calculators and watches entered the scene.
Even the White House got in on the action. President Jimmy Carter had solar thermal panels installed in 1979 and personally contributed to several solar farms. By the 1980s, solar arrays readily available to citizens, and federal acts gave incentives and tax credits to installing renewable energy in homes. In 1983, sales of solar cells exceeded $250,000,000.
Solar Power Today
History since the 1980s has seen continuous growth of the pervasiveness and quantity of solar electric energy. Countries around the world have instituted bills and laws to help provide solar energy for their citizens, and technology is only becoming more and more efficient and refined.
Solar power has become a defining feature of modern life in California. With year-round sunshine and some of the highest electricity rates in the country, homeowners across the state are turning to solar energy as a practical and long-term solution. Rooftop solar panels are now common in both urban neighborhoods and rural communities, providing a clean alternative to utility power and helping households reduce their monthly bills.
California’s policies have played a major role in accelerating adoption. Most new homes are now built with solar panels as a standard feature, and many homeowners are pairing their systems with battery storage. This allows them to store excess energy for use at night or during power outages, which is increasingly important as the state faces challenges like grid strain and rolling blackouts.
Advancements in technology and installation have also made solar more affordable and accessible than ever. Homeowners can choose from a variety of financing options—whether purchasing systems outright, using solar loans, or exploring solar-as-a-service plans. These options make it possible to install solar with little or no upfront cost, while still benefiting from long-term energy savings.
Beyond cost savings, solar is seen as a step toward self-reliance. It gives families control over their energy use and protection from rising utility rates. And as California continues pushing toward cleaner energy and lower emissions, solar remains central to that vision.
Further, solar PV is much more readily available than it was when it first began. While prices used to be $1,785 per watt, they’re now only a few dollars. Solar technology may have had a slow start, but it’s quickly becoming one of the most significant areas of technological advancement in our history.
Are you looking to own a solar power system? Get started with California solar today with Semper Solaris. Semper Solaris is your trusted, veteran-owned solar and roofing company committed to helping homeowners achieve true energy independence. We install American-made solar panels, Tesla Powerwalls, and energy-efficient HVAC systems—all backed by expert craftsmanship and unmatched service. With a reputation for honesty, integrity, and local expertise, we deliver clean energy solutions that lower your bills and power your future. Choose Semper Solaris, where patriotism meets performance.
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